MSW Programs in Georgia

Georgia is the largest state in the Southeast. Atlanta is both the capital and the largest city in the state, a bustling modern city with a vibrant economy and varied population. Known for it production of peaches, Georgia is also a leading producer of eggs, corn, cotton, peanuts, processed chicken and paper. It produces three-quarters of the turpentine and resin made in the USA.

The state is known for its aquarium (the largest in the world, located in Atlanta) and historic Savannah, one of the most beautiful towns spared by Sherman during the Civil War (1).

Varying Needs Across the State

According to the United States Census Bureau, Georgia has a population of just under ten million. The state has a large African American population, over double the national average. Approximately 31.4 percent of the population is African American (13.2 percent of the nation as a whole are African American), and 20.4 percent of the state’s corporations are owned by African Americans (compared to 7.1 percent of the nation’s corporations) (2).

The state has a higher-than-average percentage of the population living in poverty (17.4 percent, which is 2.5 percent higher than the national average of 14.9 percent). The median household income is $49,604, which is lower than the national average median household income of $53,046 (3). The cost of living in Atlanta is higher than the national average, but the cost of living in the rural parts of the state is lower than the national average (4).

The Georgia State Office of Rural Health reports that residents of rural Georgia are more likely to struggle with health issues such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. These same communities are also more likely to be under-insured or to lack access to vital services. (5) The University of Wisconsin, in conjunction with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, evaluated health statistics for citizens in every state of the union. Health statistics for the state of Georgia revealed a wide gap in overall health in the state. The healthiest counties were primarily urban, and the least health counties in the state were primarily rural (6).

While healthcare is better in the city, crime is of great concern in the state’s capital, the city of Atlanta. While the crime rate has been steadily decreasing over the past decade, it is still double the national average (7).

Studying Social Work in the Deep South

Would you like to study to become a social worker in state? The 2014 US News & World Report school rankings reports that the School of Social Work at the University of Georgia (Athens) is ranked number 37 in the nation, and Georgia State University’s School of Social Work ranks number 52. You can also check out the MSW programs at Savannah State University, Valdosta State University or Clark Atlanta University (8).

The University of Georgia offers several certificate programs (disability studies, gerontology, global health, management of nonprofit organizations, and marriage and family therapy) and two dual degree programs (MSW/JD and MSW/MPH) (9).

When you graduate and begin looking for a job, you will want to look into loan repayment options. If you can find a job in what is designated as a “Health Professional Shortage Area” (HPSA), you might qualify for the National Health Service Corps loan forgiveness program (NHSC). This is a program that provides relief to graduates who took out student loans while pursuing a career in social work. If you qualify for the program, you may be eligible for up to $20,000 of loan forgiveness (for up to two years).

Increasing Social Work Job Opportunities in Georgia

An estimated 6,010 child, family and school social workers are employed in the state of Georgia, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median salary for these workers is $38,730, with the best paying jobs (a median salary of $44,480) showing up in the Athens-Clarke County on the border of South Carolina (10).

Healthcare social workers are employed in fewer numbers, with around 3,840 currently working in the state. The average salary is higher: the median salary is $47,520. Mental health and substance abuse social workers are employed in far fewer numbers; approximately 1,290 work in the state. Mental health and substance abuse social workers can expect to earn a median income of $40,570 (11).

Opportunities in the field of social work are expected to grow at an above average rate in Georgia compared to overall national employment. Child, family and school social work positions are expected to expand by 18 percent with an estimated 310 annual openings in the state (12). Mental health and substance abuse social work jobs are estimated to expand at the highest rate in the state, 30 percent (13). Healthcare social work positions are expected to expand by 25 percent (14).

Licensure and Professional Development Resources

• National Association of Social Workers, Georgia Chapter
• Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists
• School Social Work Association of Georgia
• Georgia Society for Clinical Social Workers

Universities offering Master’s in Social Work Programs in Georgia

• Albany State University (MSW Program)
• Clark Atlanta University (MSW Program)
• Georgia State University (MSW Program)
• Kennesaw State University (MSW Program)
• Savannah State University (MSW Program)
• University of Georgia (MSW Program)
• Valdosta State University (MSW Program)

Sources Cited

1. Georgia, 2014. Info Please. http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0854966.html
2. State and County QuickFacts, 2014. United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/13000.html
3. State and County QuickFacts, 2014. United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/13000.html
4. Atlanta Georgia Cost of Living Index, 2014. Area Vibes. http://www.areavibes.com/atlanta-ga/cost-of-living/
5. State Office of Rural Health, 2014. Georgia Department of Community Health. http://dch.georgia.gov/state-office-rural-health
6. Health Worse in Rural Counties, Study Says, 2012. Georgia Health News. http://www.georgiahealthnews.com/2012/04/health-worse-rural-counties-study-shows/
7. Crime Rate in Atlanta, Georgia, 2014. City-Data. http://www.city-data.com/crime/crime-Atlanta-Georgia.html
8. Graduate School Search – Social Work Programs, 2014. US News and World Report. http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/search?spp=10&program=top-social-work-schools&name=&zip=georgia&program_rank=Any&sort=&sortdir=
9. MSW Program Overview, 2014. University of Georgia Athens School of Social Work. http://ssw.uga.edu/academics/msw.html
10. Statewide Statistics for Georgia, 2013. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
11. Statewide Statistics for Georgia, 2013. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
12. America’s Career InfoNet – Career Profile, 2014. Career One Stop. http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?optstatus=001000000&soccode=211021&id=1&nodeid=2&stfips=13&search=Go#SectionOp3
13. America’s Career InfoNet – Career Profile, 2014. Career One Stop. http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?optstatus=001000000&soccode=211023&id=1&nodeid=2&stfips=13&search=Go#SectionOp3
14. America’s Career InfoNet – Career Profile, 2014. Career One Stop. http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?optstatus=001000000&soccode=211022&id=1&nodeid=2&stfips=13&search=Go#SectionOp3